Visiting Tulum Ruins: Everything You Need To Know

Tulum, the ancient Mayan-walled city on the stunning Caribbean coast of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, has become a must-visit destination for travellers seeking a blend of history and natural beauty.

With well-preserved ruins shrouded in Mayan history and beliefs and perched atop dramatic cliffs overlooking turquoise waters, this heritage site offers a fascinating glimpse into the rich culture of the Mayan civilisation.

These coastal walled ruins differ from other Mayan sites, such as Chichen Itza, which tend to be nestled deep in the jungle with no walls. This unique feature makes the Tulum ruins one of Mexico's most visited attractions.

My comprehensive guide will help you plan your trip to the Tulum ruins in Mexico, covering how to get there, what to expect, and the best Tulum tours to take.

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Are the Tulum ruins worth visiting?

You can't visit the Yucatan Peninsula without visiting Tulum. The ruins are the biggest attraction in the Quintana Roo area and a must-see.

The ruins tell the story of a civilisation that built incredible temples and pyramids, worshipped astrological beings and sacrificed animals at the high altar to appease their Gods. You can't get further away from today's society than that, so yes, the Tulum ruins are worth visiting.

How to get to the Tulum ruins

The ruins are around 2 miles from the Tulum city centre on the coast and are 140km from Cancun, a little under 2 hours' drive.

They are 50km from Playa Del Carmen; the drive time is 45 minutes.

Please note that the Riviera Maya's main road can be busy and may experience traffic congestion; therefore, the provided times are approximate.

Opening hours for Tulum ruins

The Tulum archaeological site is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Are the ruins free to enter?

No. You must have a ticket to enter the site; however, you are free to wander around the car park area, where you will find restaurants and souvenir shops.

Beware of the "entertainers" dressed as Mayan high priests who invite you to take photographs with them. Our tour guide warned us that once you have taken a photo, they will ask for exorbitant fees for the image, and if you refuse, they can become confrontational.

Additionally, visitors can take photos with people holding animals on leads, including iguanas and monkeys. Please do not endorse this cruelty by taking part.

How to buy Tulum ruins tickets

Tulum Tour tickets can be purchased online. Guided tours typically include visits to the ruins and cenotes, with transportation provided.

I joined one of the Tulum Ruins Tours on a half-day trip from my hotel resort in Akumal, located in the Riviera Maya.

The tour combined exploring the Tulum ruins with visiting Chen Ha and Mariposa cenotes. It was a great way to learn about the Mayan ruins from an expert guide and have free time to swim in the mystical Tulum cenotes, which was a great experience.

If you prefer to travel independently and want to purchase a ticket upon arrival at the ruins, avoid buying one from the main car park/tourist area, as these vendors often sell counterfeit tickets.

You should only buy from the official ticket booth, which is located once you have walked away from the main shopping/tour meeting area and arrived at the Tulum ruins entrance. This is a 10 - 15-minute walk from the car park.

The Tulum ruins entrance fee is 100 pesos (2026)

Tulum ruins facts

All facts were shared with my group by my Tulum tour guide

The Tulum Mayan ruins were once a thriving walled city built between the 13th and 15th centuries. The Mayan city was known as Zama (meaning place of the dawning sun), as it was one of the first places in Mexico to see the sunrise.

The 7-metre-thick wall allowed the elite to live inside, away from the ordinary people who resided in thatched huts outside the complex.

Daily life in Tulum was entwined with politics, magical religious rituals, the arts, and astronomy.

In the 19th century, following the arrival of explorers, Zama was renamed Tulum (meaning "trench" or "fence" in Mayan) because of the sights and smells they encountered.

Being on the coast, the seaport city received and distributed goods to and from central Mexico and Central America, as well as the Pacific and Gulf coasts. Jade and turquoise were its most significant exports.

Another export was the gum-like resin (Chicle) tapped from trees and sold to a certain Mr Wrigley in Chicago, Illinois. The chicle was mixed with mint and sugar to become Wrigley's spearmint gum!

What to see in Tulum

Once you have entered the archaeological site of Tulum, you will see several stone temples set in a central grassy area. They are in pretty good condition, considering they date back centuries.

If you are booked on a tour, your guide will provide information about the Mayan people, explain why Tulum was built, and describe its original purpose. There is little shade here, so be prepared to wear a hat and sunscreen, and drink plenty of water.

El Castillo is the focal point in Tulum. This iconic limestone temple perched on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea is the most recognisable structure in the Tulum archaeological zone. It served as a ceremonial site and a navigational beacon for Mayan seafarers.

The Temple of the Descending God is named after the distinctive figure carved into the roof lintel. It's a striking example of Mayan architecture, featuring intricate carvings, and can be seen on the left side of El Castillo.

The Temple of the Frescoes is a small yet beautifully decorated building that showcases intricate Mayan murals. The murals depict the Mayan Gods and offer insights into their artistic and religious practices.

The House of Columns was the official palace of the Mayan leaders. It once rose three storeys high. A row of 4 columns can still be seen at the front of the ruins.

The House of Cenote is close to the House of Columns and has a small cenote below it. The ancient Mayans would have used the cenote to get fresh water from the underground river.

The best place to take a photo at Tulum

As you follow the path towards the cliff edge, you will arrive at the viewing platform by El Castillo.

It gets jam-packed around the castle temple, as it's the perfect place for visitors to take photographs. It's a great place to admire the magnificent views or try to make it down the wooden steps to Tulum Beach.

Tulum has one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean; however, during my visit, the stairs were closed due to rough seas and the excessive amount of Mexican sargassum (seaweed) on the beach. Be prepared for this possibility on your visit.

It's a good idea to continue to the left of El Castillo, along the coastal path, to get a photo of the iconic Temple of the Wind God with the palm trees, beach and sea as a backdrop.

Can you swim at Tulum Beach?

You can swim at Tulum Beach if the surf is calm; otherwise, visitors are not allowed.

The stairs to the beach usually open at 10 a.m. (weather permitting), so pack your costume if you fancy swimming in the shadows of the mystical Tulum temple perched above. The beach closes at 4.30 pm.

Can you go inside the temples?

The ancient temples are in ruins, so there is nothing to see inside them. However, walking around the grounds gives you a great insight into the civilisation that once lived here through information boards and your tour guide (if you have booked a guided tour).

Please note that visitors are no longer allowed to climb up the steps of El Castillo.

When is the best time to visit?

If you are joining a tour and staying in Akumal or Tulum Town, an early morning pick-up time is a great option to avoid the crowds. You can visit Tulum before the coachloads of visitors arrive from Cancún. Of course, the same applies if you are visiting independently.

If you can't get to Tulum in the morning, wait until near closing at 5 p.m. for a more peaceful visit with fewer people around.

Try to avoid Sundays, when Mexican residents receive free entry to the ancient ruins, as they can get very busy.

These timings also coincide with the weather. Tulum has very few shaded areas, and it gets extremely hot during the day, so arriving early or late is advisable. Remember to wear a hat, apply sunscreen, and drink plenty of water!

Invest in a refillable bottle to reduce plastic waste. I love Super Sparrow water bottles because they keep water chilled throughout the day.

How long will I need at Tulum?

The site is not huge, so allow at least one hour to wander around. If you plan to swim, adjust this time accordingly.